Cookout Holiday Hours 2026: What’s Open and What’s Closed

Nothing ruins a holiday craving faster than pulling up to a dark drive-thru. If you are wondering about Cookout holiday hours, you are not alone Cook Out is a Southern late-night staple, and whether the grill is running on Thanksgiving or Christmas morning depends on the holiday, the franchise, and sometimes the manager on duty.

This 2026 guide breaks down the full Cookout holiday schedule: the two days the chain reliably closes, the holidays it stays open, reduced Christmas Eve hours, and how to confirm your local restaurant’s plan before you drive over. Pair it with our regular Cookout hours guide for everyday opening and closing times.

Is Cookout Open on Thanksgiving?

No Cook Out is closed on Thanksgiving Day at nearly every location. This is one of the two holidays the chain consistently shuts down for, giving staff the day off. If you are planning a late-night tray run on Thanksgiving, make it Wednesday night instead, because Thursday the grills stay cold.

Is Cookout Open on Christmas Day?

No Cook Out is closed on Christmas Day. Along with Thanksgiving, Christmas is the second day the chain shuts down across the board. Competitor fan sites and years of customer reports agree on this one, so treat it as settled: no trays, no shakes, no drive-thru on December 25th.

Cookout Christmas Eve Hours

Christmas Eve is the tricky one. Most Cook Out locations stay open on December 24th but close early often several hours before the usual late-night closing time so employees can get home for the holiday. The exact early-closing time varies by restaurant, which is why a quick call to your location on the afternoon of Christmas Eve is worth the thirty seconds.

Is Cookout Open on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day?

Yes Cook Out is open on both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. New Year’s Eve is actually one of the busiest late-night shifts of the year for the chain, and locations generally run their normal (often very late) hours. On New Year’s Day, restaurants open as usual, though a few locations may open slightly later in the morning. If your January 1st tradition is a Big Double and a shake, you are in luck.

Cookout Hours on Other Holidays

For most other federal holidays, Cook Out operates normally: Martin Luther King Jr. Day open, regular hours. Presidents Day open, regular hours. Memorial Day open, regular hours. Independence Day (July 4th) open; a cookout on the 4th at Cook Out is practically a tradition. Labor Day open, regular hours. Halloween open, regular hours (and a great pre-trick-or-treat dinner stop). Veterans Day open, regular hours. Easter Sunday most locations open, but some franchise spots trim hours; this is the one spring holiday worth double-checking locally.

Why Holiday Hours Vary by Location

Cook Out restaurants are a mix of company-owned and franchised locations, and individual operators have some say over holiday staffing. That is why you will occasionally see one location close early while the next town over runs full hours. Staffing, local demand, and even weather can nudge a manager’s decision. The pattern above reflects the chain-wide consensus, not a binding corporate schedule hours can vary, so call ahead on major holidays.

How to Check Your Local Cook Out’s Holiday Hours

Three reliable ways to confirm before you go:

1. Call the restaurant directly. The fastest method, especially on Christmas Eve when early-closing times are decided that day.
2. Check the location’s Google listing. Holiday hours are often updated on Google Maps in the days before a major holiday.
3. Look for a sign on the door or drive-thru window. Locations expecting a holiday change usually post a notice a few days ahead.

Planning a trip around a holiday? Our find a Cook Out near you guide helps you locate the closest restaurant and its contact details.

Planning Holiday Cookout Runs: Smart Timing

Holiday weeks change the rhythm of every Cook Out location. The days right before Thanksgiving and Christmas are some of the busiest of the year students are home, families are gathering, and the drive-thru line reflects it. If you want a holiday-week tray without the wait, go at off-peak hours: mid-afternoon instead of the dinner rush, or later in the evening after the first wave clears. Christmas Eve deserves special planning since many locations close early; an early-afternoon run beats gambling on the evening shift. And on the holidays Cook Out does stay open New Year’s Day, July 4th, Labor Day expect a festive crowd but normal operations. A little timing strategy turns a potential parking-lot ordeal into the easiest meal of your holiday week.

Frequently Asked Questions